With all that fine text, it’s hard for one name to stand out, yet James Anderson‘s does. There it is, smuggled between Ben Green and Mason Crane, at number 159 on the list. Did they believe that if they buried it among the lesser stars, we wouldn’t notice?
A Malaysian, a Ugandan, a Cambodian, and a Motswana—a person from Botswana—enter a pub. Twenty-four Americans, twenty-three Bangladeshis, thirteen Indians, forty Pakistanis, thirty-six Sri Lankans, twenty-seven Afghans, fifty West Indians, fifty Englishmen, and eleven from each of the United Arab Emirates and Scotland are present.
There are also three Australians, Canadians, Nepalese, Omanis, two Malawians, nine New Zealanders, five Namibians, ten Zimbabweans, Irishmen, Dutchmen, and Germans. 328 South Africans, too.
You could say that’s a massive bar. Of course, it’s a joke. as they aren’t actually in a pub. Rather, their names are listed on a spreadsheet that includes the players hoping to win a spot at the September 9 SA20 auction in Johannesburg.
Of the 782 players who have registered for the auction, 699 are expected to be disappointed because there are just 84 spots available. 89.39% of the soon-to-be rejected are aware of this. In fact, the majority of them will not even be included in the final list whose services will be terminated. However, it can’t hurt to try. Furthermore, they won’t be sought after by the franchises.
Unquestionably the best fast bowler England has ever produced, Anderson concluded his Test career in July of last year. Since then, however, he has participated in 17 T20, First Class, and The Hundred games. The ageing dog still has life in it. What is your age?
At forty-three, James Anderson would be the oldest player in several tournaments. Not the SA20, though, since 46-year-old Imran Tahir is also trying to find work.
Among the current internationals vying for a franchise owner’s chequebook are Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Reece Topley, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales. Mahmudullah, Jason Roy, and Martin Guptill are notable but not up to date.
Then there’s Quinton de Kock, whose standing abroad is oddly ambiguous. Additionally, Temba Bavuma, the WTC-winning captain, hasn’t participated in a Twenty20 match since April of last year, possibly due to his 123.39 strike rate in the format. Not to be overlooked is David Teeger, who hasn’t seemed to participate in any form of game since February 2024. Teeger was fired as captain of South Africa’s under-19 side in October 2023 after it was revealed that he had supported Israel’s ruthless assault on Gaza.
Additionally, there is a group of South Africans from multiple generations who will find great resonance in their names. The sons of Ray Jennings, Dale Benkenstein, and Herschelle Gibbs, as well as Keaton Jennings, Luc Benkenstein, and Rashard Gibbs. And the grandsons of Ali Bacher and Basil D’Oliveira, Brett D’Oliveira and Jarren Bacher.
Much will change before the six teams spend the remaining USD 7.37 million on players, as is always the case with franchise fandangos. Before the competition begins on December 26 at Newlands and concludes on January 25 at the same venue, more could change.
Nevertheless, there is a certain allure to having players with renowned last names like D’Oliveira and Gibbs, as well as names as unlike as James Anderson, Imran Tahir, and Quinton de Kock, on the same spreadsheet, even if only momentarily.
Hopefully, some of them will find enough things in common to desire to go out to a pub together anytime between December 26 and January 25. They have no idea who might be there.
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